It has been a busy few months, with lots happening in Parliament and in the constituency. I am continuing to work hard for Luton North, challenging the government and standing up for your concerns. While this cannot cover everything I do as your MP, here is a selection of my activity in the last few months:

In Parliament-

• Attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Parliament with the wonderful Tony Thompson from Hope Church, who does so much for our local community here in Luton.
• Joined a panel hosted by the Trussell Trust in Parliament regarding the cost-of-living crisis, the impact this is having in villages, towns, and cities across the country and how we can tackle this together.
• Attended Eid reception hosted by LOTO with my wonderful constituent Yasmin, a strong advocate and campaigner for Brain Tumour Research.
• Spoke in the Parliamentary debate on the automotive industry, covering the importance of this sector for Luton’s economy, what Vauxhall means to our town and the impact of the closure of SKF for people and jobs in Luton North.
• As a follow up to this debate, I secured a meeting with Business and Trade Minister Nusrat Ghani MP, discussing the importance of Vauxhall for the economy of our town and the problems facing our automotive sector.
• Spoke out against the Government’s poor handling of the junior doctor’s strikes and how 13 years of Tory cuts have crippled our NHS.
• Attended Arts Council England Parliamentary reception to discuss the brilliant work being delivered through arts and culture in local communities, including Revoluton Arts.
• Contributed to an Urgent Question tabled by Labour on the RAAC crisis across our schools, highlighting the importance of safe schools in good condition for our young people to be able to thrive in education.
• Attended Habinteg Housing Associations Parliamentary drop-in on the importance of accessible housing for all.
• Responded to a Westminster Hall Debate on High Street Heritage and Conservation on behalf of Labour, outlining how Labour will reform our outdated business rates system and giving power back to councils by expanding regional devolution to create strong and sustainable local economies.
• Questioned the Prime Minister in PMQ’s on the Government’s failure to secure a vital trade deal with the USA and EU, to secure a better industrial future for our economy.
• Met with Will Quince MP, Minister for Health and Secondary Care, alongside some of my Labour colleagues, to discuss how to improve allocation of funding for Brain Tumour Research.
• Joined colleagues in a Westminster Hall Debate for World Sepsis Day, calling for increased awareness and education in healthcare settings.
• Participated in a debate on the Government’s Towns Fund: Project Delivery, where I questioned Ministers on their long-term plans for towns, and new towns we are seeing without necessary infrastructure to sustain them.
• Questioned the Prime Minister and Foreign Office Ministers directly on the unfolding humanitarian situation in Gaza and how the Government plan to urgently address clear breaches of international law in Israel and Gaza, as well as ensuring urgent humanitarian aid resources can enter the region.
• Voted in favour of a Motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages.
• Participated in an Interfaith roundtable, engaging with faith leaders from across the country and hearing from them directly how their communities are feeling due to the situation in Israel and Gaza, and how we can build greater cross-community engagement and understanding so that we create resilience for the future.
• Attended a drop-in on climate action hosted by the Local Government Association.
• Met and spoke with the Pakistani Ambassador and deputy High Commissioner to hear updates and discuss the situation in Kashmir.
• Joined the Institute of Jainology to address members of the Jain Community for Ahmisa day in Parliament.

In Luton North-

• Joined Inspire FM’s annual Eid celebrations in Lewsey Park alongside colleagues and friends.
• Participated in the annual Colour Run, raising vital funds for Luton Foodbank, as well as Community Interest Luton’s first ever Health Festival.
• Attended a wonderful and thought-provoking Racial Equity Network Dinner with over 450 educators from across Luton.
• Visited Beechwood Primary School and heard from Year 5&6 about their fantastic climate change and geography ideas.
• Visited Hockwell Ring Foodbank regarding the vital work they are doing to support families in need across our community.
• Visited Milliner House Care Home and met the lovely residents.
• Met with Someries Luton Rotary Club to talk all things business and industrial strategy.
• Visited CYCD Luton with Rachel Hopkins MP to present awards for the participants of their summer camps.
• Joined Luton Town Hockey Club for a session and dusted off my hockey skills after 20 years.
• Visited one of the many Open Door Cooking Clubs ran by the Youth Partnership Service to support people with cooking classes and advice on the cost of living.
• Attended Desi Fest Luton in Wardown Park for an afternoon celebrating culture, music and food!
• Attended Luton Women and Girl’s Cricket Club to hand out awards to their under-13s.
• Joined Luton Keralites Association to participate in their Onam Festival celebrations.
• Attended Luton Council of Faiths 27^th Annual Peace Walk hearing from faith leaders and meeting representatives from our many communities.
• Participated in Luton’s annual Walk of Hope for Brain Tumour Research in memory of my wonderful constituent, Amani.
• Got a sneak peek of the construction which is well underway at Luton and Dunstable Hospital for their new wing.
• Joined Jamia Islamia Ghousia Trust for the 40th Annual Milad Un Nabi SAW conference.
• After our community suffered from the heart-breaking spate of knife crime violence, and the devastating death of Ashraf in recent weeks, I have been in consistent contact with Bedfordshire Police, Luton Borough Council, schools and local faith leaders and organisations to tackle this issue plaguing our community. After 13 years of Tory cuts to education, youth services and policing, we know this is not just a Luton issue. What is clear however, is that under the current Government, we will have to rely on a Luton solution to protect our young people and prevent more needless violence in our community.

Events-

• I have been hosting regular surgeries across Luton North, assisting constituents with issues including immigration, housing and health and discussing human rights and animal welfare concerns.
• Spoke on a panel to discuss Religion and Power in British Politics at the University of Bristol, covering Lords reform, religious literacy and the importance of diversity in politics.
• I was delighted to attend and speak in my capacity as Shadow Faith Minister at the Labour Muslim Network’s Gala Dinner in Dewsbury to raise vital funds for Yorkshire’s CLPs to help Labour win the next election.
• Celebrated a milestone of 100 Small Business Saturdays for our wonderful small businesses and entrepreneurs across Luton North.
• Had a packed Labour Party Conference, addressing 100 councillors at a Local Government Association rally, participating in panels on a range of topics including: Chinese seafarers forcibly deported from Liverpool in the 1950s, the threat of the far-right, the rise in conspiracy theories and the balance between a strong state and strong communities, to name a few.
• Gave a keynote address at the first annual Muslim Charities Convention, spending time with lead figures in the Muslim charity sector who devote their lives to service.

My casework statistics from June to October 2023 –

• 6,738 emails received
• 9,482 emails sent
• 2,915 new cases created
• 2,994 cases closed

The issues I have been contacted about most frequently about during this time period include international affairs, health services and medicine, housing, and animal welfare. If you have any concerns you wish to raise with me regarding life in Luton North or the country more widely, then please do not hesitate to get in touch by emailing sarah.owen.mp@parliament.uk.